The Rank Group says John O’Reilly will retire as chief executive on 29 January, with chief financial officer Richard Harris taking over on an interim basis the following day. O’Reilly will continue supporting the company until the end of the 2025/2026 financial year as the board searches for a permanent successor.
The leadership handover puts Harris in charge while Rank seeks a permanent chief executive.
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The British Horseracing Authority has appointed Brant Dunshea as chief executive and David Jones as interim chair, the BHA said. Dunshea had served as acting CEO since December 2024; Jones took the chair after Lord Charles Allen resigned. The BHA plans to recruit a permanent chair.
Iain Duncan Smith and Dawn Butler wrote to the UKGC questioning Allwyn UK's choice of Phil Walker as interim chief executive. Their concerns relate to his William Hill tenure, which included a £19.2m regulatory settlement and a subsequent personal warning. Allwyn UK said it had notified the UKGC and DCMS before announcing his appointment.
Reportedly, James Coxon will become UK Tote Group’s chief executive as Alex Frost steps down. Frost will depart after nearly 10 years at the pool betting operator.
Alex Frost will step down as chief executive of UK Tote Group at the end of 2026, the company said. James Coxon, most recently Vice President International at DraftKings, will become chief executive from the start of 2027.
Rank Group appointed Jenny Blogg as chief commercial officer, with her role due to begin on 16 March. She will oversee the cross-channel customer experience across Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, join the Executive Committee and report to interim chief executive Richard Harris.
Genting UK and Rank executives warned that uncertainty over Machine Games Duty is holding back investment in UK casinos. Genting UK chief executive Paul Willcock said he might have reached a different conclusion on the £40m Trocadero conversion had he decided today rather than two years ago. Rank chief executive Richard Harris said that without confidence things grind to a halt quickly.